PR boss quits Sony before 'difficult holiday' says analyst

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Karraker called the decision "very difficult" having been presented with a promotion closer to home in an industry he had previously worked in.

"I have enjoyed immensely my tenure at SCEA and think the company and its brands are very well positioned to have an exceptional holiday and a very bright future," he wrote in an email to the media. "I look forward to continuing to follow this industry as a gamer, rather than a spokesperson."

Analyst Michael Pachter called the outgoing public relations director a "steady contact in a volatile industry."

Karraker played a key role in helping Sony brave the public relation waters of a tumultuous PS3 launch year by making himself readily available to both traditional and new media outlets. It was a position that we called the toughest job in video games this past May.

"The other PR people at Sony are quite competent, but it would help to strengthen the team with someone as good as Dave to handle the schizophrenic press over the next 6 months," Pachter told us.

"I think Sony will have a difficult holiday with only a handful of exclusive games and a pricing disadvantage against Microsoft and Nintendo," he added. "But I expect things to get better in spring with the release of Grand Theft Auto 4, Gran Turismo 5, and Metal Gear Solid 4."